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South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Bristol Airport is taking legal action against the Welsh Government
A letter written to the Welsh Government on behalf of Bristol Airport demands information on their £205 million subsidy for Cardiff Airport. The letter comes in response to news that the cost for the state funding of Cardiff Airport is set to increase to £286 per household. In a 'scathing letter' to Welsh Government Minister Rebecca Evans MS, Bristol Airport highlighted how the proposed subsidy would exceed Cardiff Airport's current annual turnover. Bristol Airport said the funding over the 10-year period has potential to distort competition, and risks reducing air travel choice for customers, including those living in South Wales. Bristol Airport is taking legal action against the Welsh Government (Image: NQ) Dave Lees, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, raised concern over Welsh Government's refusal to detail sufficient information on the public subsidy and how it will be spent. Mr Lees said: 'We have publicly called for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales. 'There have been repeated attempts by Members of the Senedd and others to seek further detail on how Welsh Government intends to respond to the concerns raised in the CMA assessment has also been unsuccessful, resulting in a serious lack of transparency around this unprecedented subsidy in UK aviation, which is being funded at great expense by the taxpayer. 'It is therefore appropriate for our legal team to make a formal pre-application request to the Welsh Government for more detailed information on the proposed subsidy, as there has been insufficient detail published or shared to date to fully understand how the subsidy will be used.' The chief executive of Regional & City Airports, which is responsible for Bournemouth and Exeter, also criticised Welsh Government's plans. Andrew Bell said it: 'raises fundamental questions about fairness, transparency, and the strategic direction of regional aviation policy in the UK.'
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Bristol Airport 'should mind their own business' as answers are demanded over Cardiff subsidy
Bristol Airport 'should mind their own business' as answers are demanded over Cardiff subsidy Bristol Airport has written to the Welsh Government demanding more information on the £205 million subsidy for Cardiff Airport, which has been described as 'unprecedented' Cardiff Airport (Image: Cardiff Airport ) Solicitors representing Bristol Airport have approached the Welsh Government demanding further details regarding its £205 million subsidy allocation for Cardiff Airport. And Wales Online readers have been discussing the issue in our comments section. News last week that Welsh households would see state support for Cardiff Airport increase to £286 per household ignited controversy. In a letter addressed to Welsh Government Finance Minister Rebecca Evans MS, Bristol Airport pointed out that the funding would surpass Cardiff Airport's yearly turnover and was set to last for the next decade, supplementing the nearly £200 million already paid by taxpayers to Cardiff Airport. Bristol Airport has cautioned that the decade-long financial support could affect market dynamics, potentially narrowing air travel options for consumers, particularly those living in south Wales. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees citied concerns about the Welsh Government providing inadequate details on the public grant and its intended use – this, despite the Competition and Markets Authority raising significant points of contention, such as "unevidenced assumptions". In a statement, Mr Lees declared: "We have publicly called for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales. "There have been repeated attempts by members of the Senedd and others to seek further detail on how Welsh Government intends to respond to the concerns raised in the CMA assessment has also been unsuccessful, resulting in a serious lack of transparency around this unprecedented subsidy in UK aviation, which is being funded at great expense by the taxpayer." Article continues below CommenterThebear2025 said in response to the issue: 'Bristol Airport should concentrate on getting its own airport in order first. The access and parking is atrocious.' Operaman1b agreed: 'Bristol Airport should mind their own business. They take enough revenue from Cardiff as it is, pure greed from Bristol Airport.' Rodgerthedodger retorted: 'They don't 'take' anything from Cardiff, people just prefer to fly from there. If Cardiff doesn't like that they should make the effort to offer an attractive product. "Neither of those is going to happen. Cardiff has little or no potential. It's in the wrong place, has very poor connections and an owner that has a poor record of managing it. "The only places that it's the 'natural' airport for are south west Cardiff and South Glamorgan. Even if you fix all the obvious problems it will still have a far smaller catchment area than Bristol. The right thing to do is shut both and build a new one within a few miles of the M4/M5 junction.' Gaggsie wondered: 'I don't know why Bristol Airport doesn't want Cardiff Airport to have investment. I welcome the money being spent by the Welsh Government and much prefer flying from Cardiff than Bristol.' StevenBoyd replied: 'Investment is usually with the intention of getting a return. This is pouring money into a hole. Not quite the same thing.' Smartymarty thought: 'If Cardiff airport offered flights to destinations other than the Costas maybe it would see more traffic. If flights are several £100 more than a flight from Bristol or London then people will vote with their wallet.' StevenBoyd added: 'All the spaffing of our money at it, for well over a decade, has failed to produce any 'growth' at all. This isn't 'investment', it comes under the heading 'well that didn't work, let's try this'.' TheBrigadier replied: '£286 subsidy per household is just £28.60 per year over the 10 year period. A good investment I say, to be able to travel from Cardiff rather than an expensive journey to Bristol or other airports.' Darce believed: 'They should have more direct flights to more destinations. For example if I want to travel to New York or pretty much anywhere west from Wales I've got to catch a 1hr flight in the wrong direction, to then wait around to change planes and then double back on myself. Look at any other Capital City in the UK and all provide way more flights and choice of flights than Cardiff.' Darce agreed: 'I'd happily pay up if Cardiff had much better transport access to the airport, a much more varied and regular choice of flights. Not just European destinations but long haul too ie. Caribbean, America's, Middle East. Plus more airport facilities like having a choice of lounges and ones that are open decent hours. Also CWL would benefit from using decent airlines that offer more than just a 3rd class experience. Emirates and BA just to name a few.' Article continues below Do you think investing more money in Cardiff Airport is a smart move? Would you like to see the airport offer more flights? Have your say in our comments section.
ITV News
13-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Bristol Airport 'scathing' over Welsh Government's £205m subsidy for Cardiff Airport
Lawyers working on behalf of Bristol Airport have written a scathing letter to the Welsh Government demanding they provide more details on how they will subsidise Cardiff Airport with hundreds of millions of pounds. Over the next ten years, Cardiff Airport is set to receive a £205 million subsidy from the Welsh Government. Lawyers for Bristol Airport say that since Cardiff's nationalisation, the airport has cost each household in Wales £286. Writing to Welsh Government Minister Rebecca Evans MS, Bristol Airport said the proposed subsidy would exceed Cardiff Airport's current annual turnover, in each year of the planned 10-year duration and comes on top of the nearly £200m of taxpayers' money already provided to Cardiff Airport. Bristol Airport claim the funding has potential to "distort competition, and risks reducing air travel choice for customers, including those living in South Wales". The Welsh Government has been approached for a response. Dave Lees, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, raised concern over the amount of detail the Welsh Government has shared on the public subsidy and how it will be spent – despite the Competition and Markets Authority highlighting considerable issues, including "unevidenced assumptions". The Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports, which is responsible for Bournemouth and Exeter, also criticised the Welsh Government's plans. Andrew Bell said it 'raises fundamental questions about fairness, transparency, and the strategic direction of regional aviation policy in the UK". Now lawyers are requesting detailed information about how the Welsh Government has addressed the concerns raised by the Competition and Market Authority's Subsidy Advice Unit in its report published last year. The legal team are also questioning why the Welsh Government does not consider Cardiff International Airport Limited to be an "ailing or insolvent enterprise". The Competition and Markets Authority highlighted issues, including "unevidenced assumptions", when Welsh Government first announced the subsidy in 2024. Mr Lees said: 'We have publicly called for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales. 'There have been repeated attempts by Members of the Senedd and others to seek further detail on how Welsh Government intends to respond to the concerns raised in the CMA assessment has also been unsuccessful, resulting in a serious lack of transparency around this unprecedented subsidy in UK aviation, which is being funded at great expense by the taxpayer. 'It is therefore appropriate for our legal team to make a formal pre-application request to the Welsh Government for more detailed information on the proposed subsidy, as there has been insufficient detail published or shared to date to fully understand how the subsidy will be used.' Around one in five passengers at Bristol Airport travel to or from South Wales Commenting on the matter, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport & Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said: 'Labour's continued mismanagement of Cardiff Airport has seen them pour hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money into propping up the failing airport since its nationalisation. 'Despite repeated calls for transparency, Labour has failed to provide clear answers on how this money will be spent or why alternative solutions haven't been considered - their refusal to engage in meaningful scrutiny is deeply concerning. 'The Welsh Conservatives firmly believe that Ministers in Cardiff Bay lack the essential expertise required to manage an airport effectively. An experienced private sector corporation, with a proven track record in the aviation industry, would be far better equipped to ensure that Cardiff Airport not only survives but thrives.'
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Bristol Airport issues demand to Wales over £205m plan for Cardiff Airport
Bristol Airport issues demand to Wales over £205m plan for Cardiff Airport Lawyers for Bristol Airport have written to the Welsh Government Cardiff Airport (Image: Western Mail ) Lawyers working on behalf of Bristol Airport have written to the Welsh Government about Cardiff Airport. They are demanding for more information on their £205 million subsidy for Cardiff Airport. Last week it was revealed that the cost to households in Wales for the state funding of Cardiff Airport since nationalisation is set to increase to £286 per household. In a scathing letter to Welsh Government Minister Rebecca Evans MS, Bristol Airport highlighted how the proposed subsidy would exceed Cardiff Airport's current annual turnover, in each year of the planned 10-year duration and comes on top of the nearly £200m of taxpayers' money already provided to Cardiff Airport. Bristol Airport said the funding over the 10-year period has potential to distort competition, and risks reducing air travel choice for customers, including those living in south Wales. Dave Lees, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, raised concern over Welsh Government's refusal to detail sufficient information on the public subsidy and how it will be spent – despite the Competition and Markets Authority highlighting considerable issues, including "unevidenced assumptions". Mr Lees said: 'We have publicly called for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales. 'There have been repeated attempts by Members of the Senedd and others to seek further detail on how Welsh Government intends to respond to the concerns raised in the CMA assessment has also been unsuccessful, resulting in a serious lack of transparency around this unprecedented subsidy in UK aviation, which is being funded at great expense by the taxpayer. Article continues below 'It is therefore appropriate for our legal team to make a formal pre-application request to the Welsh Government for more detailed information on the proposed subsidy, as there has been insufficient detail published or shared to date to fully understand how the subsidy will be used.' The chief executive of Regional & City Airports, which is responsible for Bournemouth and Exeter, also criticised Welsh Government's plans. Andrew Bell said it: 'raises fundamental questions about fairness, transparency, and the strategic direction of regional aviation policy in the UK.' Now lawyers are requesting detailed information about how Welsh Government has addressed the serious concerns raised by the Competition and Market Authority's Subsidy Advice Unit in its report published last year. The legal team are also questioning why the Welsh Government does not consider Cardiff International Airport Limited to be an ailing or insolvent enterprise. The Competition and Markets Authority highlighted considerable issues, including "unevidenced assumptions", when Welsh Government first announced the subsidy in 2024. Bristol Airport said there was lack of transparency on the subsidy – with all major announcements being made just before the Welsh Assembly has gone into recess – and recently omitting in the last written statement the full subsidy amount. It emerged today that the Welsh Government has not discussed the subsidy with Ministers in the UK Government The April statement set out how the Welsh Government will proceed with a first investment of £20 million. Yet on the following day the UK Subsidy Transparency Database showed that Welsh Government in fact plans to spend an unprecedented £205.2 million of taxpayers' money, which was omitted from the Written Statement. Around one in five passengers at Bristol Airport travel to or from South Wales and benefit from the 115 destinations the airport provides. Bristol Airport supports the Welsh visitor economy as well as sports fixtures held in the region. It is currently investing £400m of private capital to improve the customer experience, at no cost to the taxpayer. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . Article continues below
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
£205m investment for Cardiff Airport slammed by Bristol but 'brilliant news for Wales'
£205m investment for Cardiff Airport slammed by Bristol but 'brilliant news for Wales' Bristol Airport has issued a stinging criticism of Welsh Government plans to invest a further £205m into Cardiff Airport The airline Vueling will be offering more flights from Cardiff Airport to Málaga, Spain (Image: Cardiff Airport ) Bristol Airport has launched a scathing attack on the Welsh Government's plans to pour an additional £205m into Cardiff Airport, arguing that such a subsidy would be unparalleled in the UK airport sector and unfairly benefit its closest competitor. Wales Online readers have been discussing the issue in our comments section. The Welsh Government, owner of Cardiff Airport since 2013, insists the investment over the coming ten years will back the airport's diversification strategy, focusing on areas like aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as general aviation and boosting freight movements. A portion of the funds is also allocated for drawing new airlines and routes, aiming to push passenger numbers above two million a year within the next decade. Welsh Government Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans, who oversees the airport, revealed a £20m investment plan earlier this month. The following day, the Welsh Government registered with the UK subsidy transparency database its intention to provide Cardiff Airport with £205.2m in subsidies. Chief executive of Bristol Airport Dave Lees expressed his concern: "It is deeply concerning that major announcements on the proposed subsidy have all taken place immediately prior to holidays and there was again no attempt to re-engage with Bristol Airport, despite repeated requests." Bristol Airport has announced plans to submit a formal pre-application enquiry to the Welsh Government for additional clarity on the prospective subsidy discussed. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We recognise the importance of Cardiff Airport to the Welsh economy and believe very strongly that, with the right investment, the Airport has the potential to make an even greater contribution, creating hundreds of additional jobs and boosting regional GVA (gross value added)." Article continues below Commenter Bikelanesnotcancercare thinks: 'Every year Wales falls behind, this is proven by facts such as PISA, NHS results etc. Welsh Labour/Plaid constantly throw £millions at Cardiff International Airport, every year airlines cut services. With Wales failing on every measure it is clear that incompetence must be rectified before we spend £200m in convincing RyanAir to fly once a week to a backwater in Greece during the summer!' BlueBuoy says: 'It's brilliant news that they are looking at the freight side of things, which is a potential gold mine. To achieve results however, they need to put in the infrastructure such as rail lines straight off the main lines and roads straight off the M4.' Lewbaz is in favour of the grant: 'I would much rather use my local airport in Cardiff than be forced to drive over the bridge due to lack of routes out of Cardiff airport. I want to support my local economy by flying from my homeland; instead, I'm forced to waste money on expensive trips to Bristol or even worse, further afield.' DWithers agrees: 'Brilliant news for Wales and the Welsh people it's been a long time coming.' Emsee replies: 'But after all the taxpayer's money that has been spent on the airport, it's still only got a handful of flights a day and nearly all to bucket and spade destinations.' Marshall1 agrees: 'This airport is becoming a complete joke to the Welsh economy. No airport company wants to operate out of there for numerous reasons including poor infrastructure, linkages, demand, the list is endless.' Trumpismad states: 'Mind your own business Bristol, this is Wales not England! Your own airport is a nightmare.!' M_Lud replies: 'It is literally their business. Borders and nationalism have nothing to do with this at all. Cardiff airport has been a failing money pit ever since the WAG's rather odd decision to purchase it. Bristol airport has every right to question when the state funds its competition. If Westminster chose to throw hundreds of millions of pounds at Bristol airport then the WAG would also rightly have questions. This is our tax money being splashed on this vanity project and we (public) don't get to ask why!' Ahrs writes: 'If it can be made to work then it'd be nice not to have to travel to Bristol or London. The one time I tried to use it my flight got cancelled. It's a lovely little airport though, it just needs the investment put into it to make it a preferred destination over airports in England.' StevenBoyd retorts: 'What exactly would you call the hundreds of millions it's had in 'investment' already? It hasn't worked.' Jonesyboy27 complains: 'Glad the Welsh government is funding hundreds of millions of pounds for a failing airport. The Senedd seems to love wasting money. Sort out the housing crisis and stop putting our council tax up. I am from Cardiff and the condition of the city is awful. Maybe let the Welsh public have a say in the airport and let us vote to keep it or sell it to a private investor.' Do you think Cardiff Airport deserves more funding? Have your say in our comments section. Article continues below
